Office Casual Done Right

Office Casual Done Right

By Karyn D. Collins

Office casual done right! What does “business casual” attire mean? Does it mean it’s okay to rock your faded jeans and flip-flops to work? The short answer is no — informal work gear isn’t the same thing as weekend wear.

“I think one of the challenges with a casual work environment is that there’s no real dress code, especially for women. It can be confusing,” says style consultant Natalie Jobity, author of Frumpy to Fabulous: Flaunting It. Your Ultimate Guide to Effortless Style.“People end up wearing what they wear everywhere else. But you can’t interpret office casual as just being casual. You are at work, so you should be dressing with the intent of business.”

As the owner of Elan Image Management in Columbia, MD, Jobity regularly works with employees in the Washington, DC area to find workplace wardrobe solutions. “Consider what your whole image is saying,” she says. “Many employees wear things because they think they can get away with it, but there is still the issue of professionalism: Do you look professional?” To clear up the “office casual” confusion, Jobity offers this list of do’s and don’ts: